Maximise your 2027 annual leave with this state-by-state guide to hacking Australia's public holiday calendar. Turn 11 leave days into 42 days off.
Planning your getaways for 2027? You're in luck. By strategically combining Australia's national public holidays with your annual leave, you can secure massive block holidays without draining your leave balance.
Here is the ultimate guide to hacking the 2027 Australian public holiday calendar state by state.
1. New Year's Day: The 9-Day Summer Block
- Public Holiday: Friday, 1 January 2027
- The Hack: Book 4 days off, get 9 days off
- Days to Request: 29 December – 31 December 2026 (or 4 January – 8 January 2027)
- Total Break: Friday, 1 January – Sunday, 10 January 2027
- Best For: Road trips down the coast or making the most of the Aussie summer peak.
2. Australia Day: The 4-Day Long Weekend
- Public Holiday: Tuesday, 26 January 2027
- The Hack: Book 1 day off, get 4 days off (High Value!)
- Days to Request: Monday, 25 January 2027
- Total Break: Saturday, 23 January – Tuesday, 26 January 2027
- Best For: A quick weekend camping trip or a backyard barbecue with friends.
3. Easter & ANZAC Day: The 10-Day Mega Autumn Break
Easter lands late in 2027, making it the perfect autumn escape.
- Public Holidays:
- Good Friday: 26 March 2027
- Easter Monday: 29 March 2027
- The Hack: Book 3 days off, get 10 days off
- Days to Request: Tuesday, 30 March – Thursday, 1 April 2027
- Total Break: Friday, 26 March – Sunday, 4 April 2027
- Tip: Australians frequently search "What's open on Good Friday in Sydney/Melbourne?" as supermarkets close down. Stay tuned for our upcoming local trading hours guide!
4. King's Birthday: The Automatic 3-Day Weekend
- Public Holiday: Monday, 14 June 2027 (Applies to NSW, VIC, QLD, ACT, SA, TAS. Note: WA celebrates in September; NT celebrates in August).
- The Hack: No leave required, automatic 3 days off
- Total Break: Saturday, 12 June – Monday, 14 June 2027
- Best For: Head to the snowy mountains (Perisher/Thredbo) for the official ski season opening weekend.
5. Christmas & Boxing Day: The 10-Day Festive Finale
Because Christmas and Boxing Day fall on the weekend in 2027, the public holidays roll over to Monday and Tuesday, creating a massive end-of-year gap.
- Public Holidays: Monday, 27 December & Tuesday, 28 December 2027 (Substitute days)
- The Hack: Book 3 days off, get 10 days off
- Days to Request: Wednesday, 29 December – Friday, 31 December 2027
- Total Break: Saturday, 25 December 2027 – Monday, 3 January 2028
2027 Public Holiday Leave Hacking Summary
| Holiday | Leave Days | Days Off |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 4 | 9 |
| Australia Day | 1 | 4 |
| Easter & ANZAC Day | 3 | 10 |
| King's Birthday | 0 | 3 |
| Christmas & Boxing Day | 3 | 10 |
| Total | 11 | 42 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this leave hacking strategy in any Australian state? Yes, New Year's Day, Australia Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day are national public holidays observed across all states and territories. The King's Birthday date varies by state, so check your local calendar.
What happens if a public holiday falls on a weekend? In Australia, if a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, a substitute holiday is usually observed on the following Monday (or Tuesday for Christmas and Boxing Day). This works to your advantage for the 2027 Christmas period.
Do I need approval from my employer? Yes, annual leave requests must be approved by your employer. Submit your requests early as these popular periods fill up quickly across most workplaces.
Start planning your 2027 now and turn 11 days of annual leave into 42 unforgettable days off across Australia.